West Lancashire

The religious profile of West Lancashire changed substantially in the 10 years leading up to 2011. Data from the census also show there were changes in housing tenure, health and work life.

The population passed 110,000

In the decade leading up to the most recent census, the population of West Lancashire increased by 2.1%, from just over 108,000 to 111,000.

The addition of about 2,300 people means this area's population increased at a slower rate than the total population of England (up 7.9% since the 2001 census).

In 2011, West Lancashire was home to, on average, 2.3 people per football pitch-sized piece of land.

Population density was lower than the average across the North West

Population density (usual residents per football pitch-sized piece of land) across the North West, March 2011 (larger dots represent greater increase since 2001)

An older West Lancashire

Census 2011 data also show a change in the local population's average age.

Between the last two censuses, the median age of West Lancashire increased by three years, from 39 to 42 years.

This affluent area had a higher average age than the North West and remained somewhat older than the average local authority area across England (39 years of age).

The rise in age was because of an increase of just over 2,800 people between the ages of 60 and 69 years, while the population between 30 and 39 years decreased by just under 4,000.

About 13% of people in West Lancashire are aged between 60 and 69 years

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and West Lancashire by 10 year age band, March 2001 and March 2011

Ethnicity in West Lancashire

The number of people in West Lancashire from the White ethnic groups remained close to 110,000 between the last two censuses. However, as a percentage of the total population, this represented a decrease from 99% to 98%.

Across the North West, the percentage of people from this ethnic group fell from 94% to 90%, while across England the percentage went from 91% to 85%.

The number of people in West Lancashire from the Asian or Asian British ethnic groups increased from just over 720 in 2001 to just over 910 in 2011 (from 0.7% to 0.8%). The number of residents from Mixed/multiple ethnic groups (White and Asian, White and Black African, White and Black Caribbean or Other Mixed) increased from just over 580 to just under 870 (from 0.5% to 0.8%).

Just over 170 people (0.1%) said they were from the Black, Black British, Caribbean or African ethnic groups, up from just under 150 in 2001 (0.2%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the ethnic profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between ethnic groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population from the White ethnic groups in West Lancashire remained close to 98%

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and West Lancashire by ethnicity, March 2001 and March 2011

Religion in West Lancashire

The number of people in West Lancashire that described themselves as Christian decreased from just under 91,000 in 2001 to about 84,000 in 2011. This represents a change from 84% to 76% of the local population.

The percentage decreased by less than the average across the North West (from 78% to 67%) and the average across England (from 72% to 59%).

The number of people in West Lancashire that described themselves as having no religion increased from about 9,600 in 2001 to just over 19,000 in 2011 (from 8.9% to 17%). The number of people who did not disclose their religious affiliation decreased from just over 7,100 to about 6,300 (from 6.6% to 5.7%).

Just under 280 people (0.2%) said they were Muslim, up from just under 200 in 2001 (0.3%).

There are many factors that can cause changes to the religious profile of an area, such as migration and varying fertility rates between religious groups. Changes may also be caused by differences in the way individuals choose to self-identify between censuses.

The population who identified as Christian in West Lancashire decreased by 7.6 percentage points

Percentage of usual residents in England, North West and West Lancashire by religion, March 2001 and March 2011

Disability in West Lancashire

The percentage of West Lancashire residents whose day-to-day activities are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 7.5% in the decade leading up to the most recent census.

In 2011, just under 1 in 20 (4.7%) reported being limited a lot in their day-to-day activities, compared with 4.0% in 2001. The percentage of West Lancashire residents whose day-to-day activities are not limited by a long-term health problem or disability remained close to 88%.

The proportion of people who are slightly limited by a long-term health problem or disability fell at a similar rate to the figure for the whole of the North West (from 7.0% in 2001 to 6.7% in 2011). Across England, the percentage fell from 6.8% to 6.5%.

The proportion of people who are limited a little by a long-term health problem or disability was higher than across the North West

Percentage of usual residents that reported being slightly limited in their day-to-day activities across local authority areas in the North West and the average across England, March 2011

Rise in private renting

The percentage of privately rented homes increased in West Lancashire, but at a slower rate than across the North West.

In West Lancashire, the proportion of private renting increased from 5.7% in 2001 to 10% in 2011. During the same period, the regional proportion increased from 8.5% to 15%.

Across the North West, the share of privately rented homes increased from 8.5% to 15%.

The rate of social housing in West Lancashire fell from 17% to 15%, while the rate of home ownership decreased from 74% to 73%.

Private renting in West Lancashire increased by 4.8 percentage points

Percentage of households in West Lancashire, the North West and England that rented privately, March 2001 and March 2011

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Area report data

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